Emotional Intelligence (CCSS)

Explanations for easier understanding and use of the results

The distinguished psychologist, researcher and author of well-known books, Daniel Goleman, defined emotional intelligence as the ability to recognise one’s own and other people’s feelings, linked to the ability to motivate oneself and to manage one’s own emotions and relationships with others. Emotional intelligence is a type of intelligence that involves the ability to process internal and external emotional information and to use it in reasoning and other cognitive activities.

The model of emotional intelligence that underlies the EI instrument is composed of eight main components of emotional intelligence, which are briefly described below.

Component EI - 1

Component EI - 1 refers to “emotional literacy”, also known as “directing and using one’s own emotions”. When we speak of emotional intelligence, we do not mean only controlling emotional reactions for the sake of oneself or others, but also using emotions when it is necessary and appropriate. Emotional literacy, unlike other forms, can be acquired only by learning from the “alphabet” of one’s own feelings. If a person does not feel comfortable with their own emotions, it will be difficult for them to establish relationships with others and to react appropriately to other people’s statements and behaviour. In other words, emotional literacy also serves as the inner foundation for social intelligence, which is considered separately even though it is directly connected to one’s own affective processes.

Component EI - 2

Component EI - 2 refers to one’s “self-image”, which can be positive or negative. We may accept our emotions while at the same time holding a negative image of ourselves, which, in terms of emotional intelligence, represents “a car without fuel”. Emotional intelligence enables calmness, but calmness cannot coexist with self-hatred, nor can it be sustained without being expressed in the process of communicating with others. Without a positive opinion of oneself, it is difficult to be open about one’s feelings, whether towards oneself or towards others (which is the key to good communication). A lack of a positive opinion of oneself prevents people from analysing, controlling and successfully using their feelings. As the famous psychologist Erich Fromm once pointed out, attitudes towards oneself and attitudes towards others become equalised in the depths of one’s own soul.

Component EI - 3

Component EI - 3 refers to the balance between extroverted and introverted orientation. Self-examination is an important part of emotional intelligence (introversion). We cannot deal with others and set priorities in our reactions until we recognise our own virtues and flaws. However, excessive “self-focus” acts as a way of creating barriers and distance, and may even be interpreted as selfishness - as if we wish to set ourselves apart. This prevents creative and successful social interaction. On the other hand, an overly extroverted person often discourages and stifles others and replaces emotional intelligence with an unchanging, open and “self-assured” image (“whatever is on the mind is on the tongue”) that conceals inner confusion.

Component EI - 4

Component EI - 4 refers to intellectual independence, which is becoming rarer and rarer nowadays. The essence of intellectual independence concerns the following recognisable aspects:

loyalty to a person or an idea despite pressure from those around you,
refusing to abandon friends or principles when trends or demands oppose them,
keeping your reason when everyone around you is losing theirs and blaming you for it,
persevering in advocating the truth.

All of these are admirable qualities. They give you steadiness and a moral anchor at a time when things and relationships around us are breaking down and turning into chaos.

Component EI - 5

Component EI - 5 refers to our dominant “inner guide”, which can be characterised as a “child” or as an “adult”. We are all the result of our genes, experiences and education, the sum of our past emotional experiences. All of this determines, to a certain extent, our emotional reactions at a given moment. Many irrational fears or aversions have their roots in “long-forgotten” traumas or even dreams. The idea of “maturity” often presupposes unchanging self-confidence based on common sense and independence from other influences. However, such steadfastness can be paid for dearly at the expense of the sensitivity that is essential for empathy. On the other hand, no one wants to “hitch their wagon” to a “guiding star” that is the embodiment of a tearful child. The balance is delicate and depends on emotional intelligence, by means of which we distinguish between emotions that are constructive and those that become destructive and exhausting.

Component EI - 6

Component EI - 6 refers to the emotional predispositions that make someone a “natural leader”, a follower or a “compulsive leader”. Based on the test results for component EI - 6, we can define three general groups of people:

People who are:

great individualists, which is a suitable trait neither for a leader nor for a follower,
inclined to follow their somewhat relaxed schedule and rhythm,
capable of proving themselves as leaders if they so wish, but only if they find an environment they care about,
able to act relaxed, kind and confident when they have something to gain from it.

These people may become “compulsive leaders” - people driven by excessive ambition on the one hand and inner insecurity on the other. History offers many examples of such people who reached even the highest positions and became disastrous for their organisations and entire states (Napoleon, Hitler, Stalin, etc.). This general trait is not a “privilege” only of great historical figures but is also present in ordinary people.

People who are:

gifted with the emotional predispositions of a leader,
able to understand employees and to confront them when they are wrong,
able to delegate duties to employees,
independent, with a strong sense of identity, purpose and empathy,
compassionate, impulsive and able to suppress their individuality when necessary, that is, when circumstances require it,
able to organise their time,
able to help employees realise their potential,
strict only when defending their followers and those who depend on them - not themselves.

These people belong to the group of “natural leaders”. It is important to bear in mind that these are only the emotional predispositions necessary for a good leader and not the complete repertoire of qualities required by great leaders and other managers.

People who are:

very busy, absorbed in what they do and devoted to “the right cause”,
have developed or embraced the qualities of a dedicated follower,
very successful as followers or officials,
conscientious, hard-working and serious about their work,
full of ambition to stand out at work, without overreaching too high.

People with these characteristics belong to the category of “natural followers”.

Component EI - 7

Component EI - 7 refers to achievement at work and enjoyment of work. There are different perspectives on jobs and work. For some, work is a necessary evil; for others, work is the reason for existence; for others still, work is a social obligation; and for an unfortunate few, work is an escape from the emotional burden of life at home or from themselves. Regardless of whether a person works at home with family or colleagues, with suppliers or vendors, with government organisations, bosses or household staff, they will inevitably face frustrations if they are not emotionally able to enjoy their work. This component refers to the emotional capacity to enjoy work and not to the degree of satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the current job. It should be noted that this valuable trait has been in decline in recent decades, which is generally not a good trend.

Component EI - 8

Component EI - 8 is connected with interpersonal relationships in which aggressive and defensive reflexes have become a way of life between two or more people. The psychologist Daniel Goleman derives the term “flooding”, which he uses to describe such interpersonal relationships. Associations with past injuries, insults and disrespect make the “flooded person” blind to the virtues and strengths of others and deaf to the voice of reason. Ongoing “flooded relationships” destroy the health (both mental and physical) of everyone who finds themselves in such situations, especially if they are long-lasting. A strong component EI - 8 represents a “good defence mechanism” against negative emotions.

Application of emotional intelligence in everyday life

The concept of emotional intelligence has found a range of different applications beyond the spheres of psychological research and therapy. Professional, educational and social institutions have integrated various aspects of emotional intelligence into their organisations in order to promote more productive working relationships, better results and greater employee satisfaction. In the workplace and in other organisational environments, the concept of emotional intelligence has been recognised as a set of valued employee qualities. The popularity of the concept of emotional intelligence in business is easily explained - when employees, managers and clients have aligned personal relationships that are mutually recognised and nurtured, productivity increases and profit grows.

The results of applying the EI instrument can be successfully used (especially in combination with the results of other tests) in vocational guidance, in the selection and placement of people, in personal counselling and in the choice of life partners and companions. Self-awareness, that is, getting to know one’s own weaknesses and strengths, is the basis for improving one’s own emotional intelligence, one’s relationship with oneself and one’s relationships with others.

Closing remarks

Understanding emotions and developing emotional intelligence contribute to better guidance of human behaviour. Emotional life requires a unique set of competencies and, just as in any other domain of human nature, it can certainly be managed with lesser or greater skill. Emotional intelligence allows us to understand why one person is more successful in life than another person who possesses equal cognitive abilities. Emotional ability can be conceptualised as a meta-ability that determines how well a person uses their intellect to navigate through various life situations. Emotional intelligence can be a powerful predictor of a person’s success in life, and teaching children in an appropriate way can raise the level of their emotional intelligence.

It should be borne in mind that emotional intelligence is connected with social intelligence, with which it partly overlaps. An emotionally immature and unbalanced person cannot appropriately establish and build sound interpersonal relationships based on mutual understanding, regard, trust and respect.

See also: CCSS and Social Intelligence